App of the Week: Can you think like Churchill?

What’s It Like? In Think Like Churchill, users face several scenarios from Nobel laureate and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s life and must weigh how to respond at key decision points. The scenarios range from personal (whether or not to pursue his passion for aviation in flying’s early, dangerous days) to international (how to save the French fleet from Nazi destruction). Once users reach the decision point, they must make a choice and then select why they made that choice from a range of options that vary depending on the scenario. Then, users are treated to narrative feedback: They learn why their choice was a good one or a bad one, and they find out what Churchill really did

Price: $4

Grades: 4-12

Rating: 4/5

Pros: Gorgeous visual style, rich primary source documents, and high-stakes decisions take kids into the mind of one of the twentieth century’s most powerful leaders.

Cons: Text-heavy style might frustrate weaker readers.

Bottom line: An excellent tool for studying the events and ethics that guide pivotal moments in history.

Stephen Noonoo

Stephen Noonoo is a former editor of eSchool News. He has served as a consultant for CUE, California’s ISTE affiliate, and as managing editor of its quarterly publication, OnCUE. He has worked as a freelance writer, an education editor for SmartBrief newsletters, and as a staff editor for a well-known publication focusing on education technology.